Celebrating 100 years of Aviation History in Canada. Check out what's coming up!
    Photo courtesy of Never Was An Arrow II
on Flickr
|
(Contributed by Tom
Hinderks, Executive Director of the Alberta Aviation Museum) The Doomsday clock read 2 minutes to midnight… (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_Clock ) The world sat at the brink of Nuclear War when the Canadair Sabre was introduced to the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1950 and it sat at 2minutes to midnight up to 1960. The RCAF was part of the defending line in Europe and at home against what was believed to be an impending nuclear attack and the RCAF was more than up to the task. Canada of the 1950s was an aerospace leader, the CF-86 Sabres were the best dayfighter of the day (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadair_Sabre) and with the CF-100 Canuck, the worlds first day/night all weather jet fighter/interceptor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avro_Canada_CF-100), Canada was the technological leader. But machines need crews and the pilots of the RCAF were the best, many veterans of WW2 and the young pilots trained by them highly skilled in the art of the dogfight. Remember this was a time before over the horizon missile when aerial combat meant seeing your opponent and facing them down with skill and courage. The combination of men and machines was unrivalled in the 1950s and it was a major force with over 300 Sabres alone based in Europe and many more at home. But the cost was high, over 100 Sabre pilots and many others lost their lives on both defense missions and in other accidents. In total several hundred RCAF personnel lost their lives while serving their country during the Cold War. Today the tradition continues, from 1991 when the Doomsday clock sat back at 17minutes to midnight it has advanced to 5minutes to Midnight due to increased world tension and conflicts around the world. The Canadian Air Force, while now small in numbers still stands on guard flying the highly upgraded CF-18 with pilots that carry forward the traditions of the past by being among the worlds best. Tuesday July 28th at 10am Hawk One a CF-86 Sabre V in the colours of Canada’s Golden Hawks aerobatic team will be over the City of Edmonton and landing at City Centre Airport visiting the Alberta Aviation Museum. The Aviation Museum is honoured to be host of this visit and consider it a tribute to Canada’s Cold Warriors of the RCAF. The Sabre arrival begins Aviation Heritage Week at the Alberta Aviation Museum and will be on display from arrival to 9pm July 28th and 10am to 9pm July 29th. The pilot, former Edmontonian and past Snowbird lead Dan Dempsey, will be doing a presentation and book signing at 12Noon July 29th. Dan is the author of “Tradition of Excellence” the history of Canada’s military aerobatic teams. July 31st 4pm to 6pm (estimated arrival time) Feel the Thunder of (4) 1700 cubic inch supercharged Merlin engines. The mighty AVRO Lancaster bomber of WW2 fame comes to Edmonton for the first time. Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum has found a way to make this special visit to Edmonton. The Lancaster has not been in Western Canada since 1987 and its return is a unique opportunity to see one of only two Lancasters flying in the world. This tribute to Canada’s WW2 Air Force veterans will be available for tours till 9pm. August 1st and 2nd 10am to 9pm The AVRO Lancaster will be on display and available for tours. (except for 2 1/2hrs each day when it flies to the Cold Lake Air Show) Meet the crews, see this legend of Canadian history. All three days your regular museum admission will allow not only access to all the Alberta Aviation Museum has to offer but also viewing of the Canadian Warplane Lancaster , the chance to meet the crews and tour this amazing aircraft. August 3rd The Lancaster departs for Winnipeg, Manitoba departure time TBA Regular museum admissions apply during Aviation Heritage Week and there are a limited number of free posters (various) and books (Above and Beyond) for children as well as all the wonderful exhibits of the Alberta Aviation Museum. 11410 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton AB 1-780-451-1175 |
